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| Afghanistan/South Asia |
| Reformists slam Maldives election fraud |
| 2005-01-23 |
| MALE: Maldivian reformists cried foul as thousands went to the polls yesterday in an election seen as a key test for Asia's longest serving leader, who faces international criticism for his rights record. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom voted at the Ameeniya school here four hours after balloting opened following a campaign subdued by the December 26 tsunami that devastated the low-lying nation and prompted it to postpone the election by three weeks. Dissidents running in the election said there had been irregularities in voter registries as well as intimidation of voters, especially on remote islands. The government vehemently denied any fraud and maintained that it had invited foreign observers to ensure the voting was free and fair. Voting ended after 12 hours late on Saturday, but some polling booths remained open to accommodate a few late comers, the election commission said. Election officials said they would close the ballot boxes only after everyone had voted. Voter turnout in Male was around 30 per cent during the first 10 hours, but there was a much better response in remote atolls where 70 to 75pc of voters turned out during the same period, an official said. Gayoom, 67, is not a candidate at the parliamentary election, but diplomats said his future could depend on the members who are returned to the people's Majlis, or assembly, that will decide on future reform. |
| Posted by:Steve White |